Closed Lid Sensor (Aspire 6920)

Where is the sensor that senses when the lid is closed on the laptop? It hasn't worked properly since I got my laptop back from Acer repair a year ago. I want to try to fix it myself.

Pictures would be helpful, but a detailed description will work. Thanks.

 

Nothing? Anyone?

 

Is there a limit to the amount of bumps I can provide for this thread?

 

I have the same problem with my 1410. The sensor never worked. Acer wants me to send the computer in, but I would prefer to fix it myself if possible. Hope someone responds.

 

it's a magnetic switch. find out where the magnet on your lcd bezel is and then close the lid and find the corresponding location on the main part of the laptop.

most likely, it will be a small magnetic sensor soldered onto the mainboard. unlikely you will be able to repair it yourself.

 

Do you know if the magnet is in the hinge area?

 

I don't have a 1410. I can provide some general advice though.

Get BIOS up to date
Check what actions are set in Windows power options and your BIOS on lid close (Do nothing, Sleep Hibernate etc)
Reset CMOS if possible on your model

If still no good

1) Most current laptops use a magnet somewhere in the screen surround and a tiny detector (often a solid state Hall effect sensor) on the main board.
2) If waving a small magnet around the outside of the keyboard area causes it to sleep at some point you might assume the magnet in the lid is weak or got loose. Maybe you can fix this.
3) Try to avoid the HDD area If waving a large magnet around the HDD area you might regret this.

4) If this does not cause the switch to 'work' there is a hardware (or remaining software) problem.
This would mean opening the laptop removing the main board identifying the reed switch or HallEffect sensor (Hard as very tiny and the magnet trick is not helping you find it) unsoldering and sourcing a replacement and soldering it to the board. Not being rude but if that level of component repair was your 'thing' you would have had the laptop open for a look long before now

 

Don't worry about appearing rude. I appreciate your input. This is definetly a hardware issue.

I will try the magnet trick, but before doing that and risking a HD problem, would it not be a good idea to try and locate the magnet in the lid area first using a piece of iron, or perhaps another magnet? Can you locate the magnet in your machine this way?

 

Use one of these little things(decoratives) that we stick in the door of the refrigerator.They should be enough to help you locate it and they are too weak to affect the HHD.

 

Let's say you find the sensor.I highly doubt if it can be fixed by you.Don't get me wrong I like to fix things myself.But how do you fix a sensor other than replacing it all together.Seems to me a job for these ACER guys.

 

Well holy smokes, you guys are right.

I first tried to find the magnet in the lid by using another magnet but this did not work because it stuck everywhere. There must be steel all around the screen.

I then used a paper clip and found the magnet easily. It is just to the left of the left hinge.

I then set the power option to put the notebook to sleep on closing the lid, and then passed a magnet over to where the switch should be. It went to sleep.

So it appears the magnet in the notebook is not strong enough or is poorly positioned.

 

Well suprise, surprise. The lid closing now works. I wonder if I unstuck the switch with the strong little magnet.

Thanks again everyone, including Kaelang who raised this issue in the first place. Hope you can get your problem solved as easily.

 

I was just being logical (maybe) and dont have a 1410. No point in locating the magnet if the sensor is unrepairable and doesn't respond to a larger magnet. Pass problem to repairer

If you can find the sensor with a magnet you now know where the magnet should be so open up the lid and fix/replace

 

Woohoo! I'll be sure to test when I get a magnet.

 

You need to find the magnet in the lid first. Use a steel paper clip.

 

Found it. Got it working again, kinda.
When I got my laptop back, it wasn't put back together completely. That's when the sensor worked. When I put things back together, it stopped working.

Well, I just confirmed that today. I took the speaker bar off and snapped in only a few clips on the other side of the computer, and it worked! But when put back together properly, it stops working.

Bugger. I'm very displeased with Acer.

 

You know it is fairly simple engineering.

If the speaker magnets are stronger than the lid magnet then a problem

If the speaker /lid/fan magnet magnetises some metal near the sensor then problem

If some other magnetic thing counteracts the lid magnet then a problem

IF something (heat, demagnetisers, large motors on trams/ trains etc) demagnetises the lid magnet then problem.

As one person said it worked after mucking around with another magnet . . and Kaelang says it is fussy about spacing etc ?? It MIGHT be worth trying a bit of low-tech demagnetisation on the sensor location. THIS IS AN UNTESTED IDEA - TRY AT YOUR OWN RISK

Fully open the screen/lid. Take a small bar magnet (the sort that actuates burglar alarm door switches is good. place it vertically directly above the sensor (i.e. below the lid magnet opposite the lid but as far as possible from the magnet in the Lid. Place a large steel sheet carefully over the lid magnet area as a magnetic shield Rotate the magnet over the sensor so the end over the sensore makes several N-S transitions then begin to move the magnet very slowly away from the side of the sensor (avoid the location of the Fan motor if known) while continuing to rotate the magnet until it is 5cm away. then remove

This should slightly de-magnetise the sensor and its immediate surroundings

Then see if the problem is cleared. If not a stronger magnet in the lid may be needed